Sixty years ago churches in America were small, so they needed programs that a denomination provided. Youth camps, mission trips, men and women’s ministry, missions programs, marketing campaigns and publications originated from a denominational headquarters. Then emerged the mega-church.
A mega-church (a church over 2,000) is its own denomination. It has the resources and critical mass to successfully produce programming that is actually more effective for their local congregation. In order to become a mega-church, smaller churches start acting like a mega-church well before they become one. This is actually good, as creativity is released, leaders are developed and ministries are customized for a local congregation. This is good for local churches, but bad for denominational offices. The truth is, programming from a denomination has a greater change of stunting the growth that could’ve immerged if a local church would have created their own ministry.
Denominations fit well in the last century‘s paradigm, but time have changed. I believe denominational structure and programming actually stifles growth in today’s environment.
Spot on baby. Spot on.
The challenge is when you no longer need (or want) the denominational support, many of the churches in your tribe still do need/want/expect it and you still have an allotted budget you are required to pay to support said system. Still trying to figure that one out. I reference again the Ecclessia Network. For 2-3% they provide a stellar annual conference, coaching and like minded networking. In Naz world, the only way I know to go is to grow and ignore the centripatal force that is the denomination, absorbing the cost as a sacrifice.
By: Scott Marshall on March 25, 2010
at 9:44 am
Aaron I love you, but STRONGLY disagree with wherever you got your misguided information.
Every Pastor, I don’t care how big his church is, needs accountability. Many mega-church Pastors, think they know it all and have it all and have no need for instruction, reproof, and accountability. Unfortunately, they need it more than the Pastor of a small church, in order to keep them from being “puffed up” and prideful from their success. And anyway, the Holy Scripture says, it’s the Lord that builds the church.
I see what your saying as rebellion to authority, and that’s all it is. Rebellion is as the sin of WITCHCRAFT.
more to follow: Vada
By: Vada Allen on March 25, 2010
at 11:35 am
We aren’t controlled by the local Districts, we submit to them. Oh I know, the Pastors of mega churches hate that word unless of course they are using it on their own people.
The District office is important to smaller churches as well as mega ones. They provide encouragement, instruction, knowledge and carry on the functions of the business part of the offices. That my friend is very important to my husband and I.
What you are saying is just wrong on every level. I don’t know where you have gotten your info, but you need to search the scriptures, instead of reading mega church books about growth and fame and fortune. God uses little people to fulfill the commands to proclaim the gospel.
We bless you Aaron, you are a good man of God and we are proud of what you have done in your church.
Steve and Vada Allen
By: Vada Allen on March 25, 2010
at 11:38 am
Vada -
Thanks for reading my blog, and commenting.
Let me be very clear – I have the utmost respect for pastors of smaller churches. Some of the best preachers I have ever heard are pastoring small churches. I pastored a church under 200 in attendance for three years, and it was a delight and very challenging. I know God was pleased with the fruit of that church.
I disagree that I am in rebellion. That is part of our problem. Why can’t we discuss ways of changing, without it being in rebellion?
I am in full submission to the spiritual authority in my life, but that doesn’t mean I can’t promote ideas and concepts that may cause a change in structure.
By: aaronallison on March 25, 2010
at 12:29 pm
I wasn’t referring necessarily to you as being in rebellion. The idea that Pastors of any size church don’t need to be under authority is not scriptural. Believe me, we have had experiences where we actually were in rebellion. We were suffered the consequences not from the denomination, but from God!
You can’t have authority unless your under authority.
Steve and Vada
Thanks so much Aaron.
By: Vada Allen on March 25, 2010
at 12:42 pm
Bring it Aaron! We need more open dialogue and whether people face it or not our culture has changed. This mentality of “puffed up” mega churches is ridiculous. most Mega-church pastors i have been in relationship have been the most humble servants i have ever known. Great line of thinking.
By: Clay Baggett on March 26, 2010
at 3:30 pm
Thanks Clay and Scott!
By: aaronallison on March 26, 2010
at 4:07 pm
Wow, this has been enlightening. And isn’t that the point? To dialogue, collaborate, or for you good King James folks…”Reason together”…I don’t think personally nor did I interpret what Aaron has been blogging about as being “rebellion” or an insinuation that we don’t need a “spiritual covering” or an authoritative body to be held accountable to. What I did read was a great and insightful blog referring that the “system” currently in place for doing those things is out dated, out of touch and if not careful could be “outsourced.” In my humble opinion, I agree with Aaron that we need to be forward thinking as a fellowship…If the paradigm is not working, but we continue to use it in the hopes of new results….well, I believe that has already been defined as insanity.
Thanks “A”
By: Darin Miller on March 26, 2010
at 5:17 pm
Aaron – I think you have raised some really good points in this blog series.
I’d add the thought in regard to the discussion of accountability that, in my personal experience, just being part of a denomination doesn’t necessarily provide true accountability. Sure, they provide rules and boundaries, but accountability goes beyond just setting guardrails for a pastor or a church. Many of the “mega-churches” I am familiar with have specifically set up an outside board of advisers for this exact purpose, to help provide some outside oversight and guidance for the church and for the pastor. These are typically people who know the pastor and church well, but who are not a part of it, so as to better provide a more objective view. In my opinion, this can be far more healthy and protective than the denominational “accountability” that comes by belonging to a specific organization.
Really enjoyed reading your posts…pity that so many denominations are trying to fight this tide instead of figuring out how to ride it. Reminds me of when I worked for Sam Goody and they choose to ignore music downloading and continue to try and make selling CDs their core business.
By: Ryan Underwood on March 30, 2010
at 8:41 pm
Aaron read this and had to comment. I love thinker/dreamers and most of all doers. What I have discovered in the precess of dreaming is the dream is most often the easy part. The process of dreaming affects no one except the dreamer, who, when the dreamer desires to deliver the dream he usually becomes the target. Dreams are often paralleled by change, which we all know is not easy. Yet change/growth/transition/evaluation/challenge are an absolute must if we are going to be greater doers for the Kingdom. A common thread of mega church pastors I have known is they live in a state of change/growth/transition/evaluation/challenge. Stagnation always has a tendency to stink and stifle. Change/growth/transition/evaluation/challenge prevent stagnation. I see mega leaders and/or good leaders as those who are not afraid change/grow/transition/evaluate/challenge.
I applaude your efforts dreamer to change/grow/ transition/evaluate/challenge every situation you are in, it keeps the kingdom moving. Everyone wont always follow or agree with you but thats okay you keep thinking… For me it is really simple. A good spiritual leader and a person of spiritual authority will always change/grow/transition/evaluate.
Finally the items you are speaking of (district, denominations, mega-Churches, even governments and companies will ultimately self district without engaging in the above process as i see it. Keep at it.
By: Andrew Wharton on March 30, 2010
at 10:41 pm
Thanks Darin and Ryan for reading and posting.
Ryan, you are so right about accountability. It’s not just the structure, but in significant relationships within that structure.
I was with Darin and our mutual friends yesterday at the North Nashville Sectional meeting for our network. I really enjoyed seeing friends, and it added to my appreciation for the Tennessee Assemblies of God. It also made me want changes to happen so the District will continue to be a relevant network of ministers 20 years from now.
By: aaronallison on March 31, 2010
at 9:15 am
Thanks Andrew. I appreciate your encouragement, and your leadership in our network. You are so right – talk is easy, change is hard. Rolling up your sleeves and engaging the process takes a lot of energy that pastors in growing churches aren’t often willing to give. I appreciate you submitting important legislation at District Council that, at the very least, will start a conversation.
By: aaronallison on March 31, 2010
at 9:20 am
Correct me if I am wrong but the church is a theocracy. God is the head, then the Pastor. We say that the District Sup. is our spiritual authority, but I beg to differ. The D.S. position is not apostolic, it is voted upon. In order to have an Apostolic ministry like Paul’s you would spend time building a church, raising up a Pastor and then moving onto the next place and starting over. When a church is already in existence the highest human authority is the Pastor who is held accountable by his mentors and the board of that church. Just a thought!
By: Galen Davis on April 3, 2010
at 3:22 pm
Aaron, you were really brave to tell me about these comments… you know I get riled up, LOL!!!
Anyone that even insinuates that you are rebellious or misguided simply doesn’t know you at all.
Nothing good can come from anything I write at this hour… so I’ll just pray and go to bed.
I love you!!!! You’re a wonderful man of God… even if you do have a lot of people coming to your church!
By: Beth on April 12, 2010
at 12:21 am